Abbott Government’s Northern Australia plan a shambles.

Media Release.

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

A Liberal Senator has slammed his own government's approach to developing a plan for Northern Australia. Queensland Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald this morning launched a scathing attack on the Abbott Government's announcements to date about the White Paper for Northern Australia and fears that any initiatives 'will be put on the backburner.' Senator Macdonald also criticised the Prime Minister's office for having an 'obsessive, centralised control phobia over this and every other aspect of parliament." Queensland Senator Jan McLucas said the comments highlight the disquiet in the Coalition and the government's lack of interest in developing a serious plan of action for the North. "This is an extraordinary attack by a Liberal Senator on his own government and highlights the shambles that their Northern Australia policy is in," Senator McLucas said. "The Coalition made a lot of noise about their plans for Northern Australia during the election campaign so a lot of people in our region will be disappointed to hear it is not being taken seriously and that proper processes were not followed within the government about its implementation." Senator Macdonald said the terms of reference for the Northern Australia Committee were not appropriate or in the best interest of Northern Australians, and that no consultation occurred with those who have a special interest in the north. He goes on to say some key issues have not been included in the terms of reference as promised before the election. Senator McLucas also remarked that Senator Ian Macdonald has belled the cat. He has highlighted the fact that the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will write the Northern Australia White Paper, not the Committee. "The Member for Leichhardt and 'Chair-elect' of the Northern Australia Committee, Warren Entsch has repeatedly indicated the Committee Secretariat would be located in the North," Senator McLucas said. "Questions need to be asked about how accurate this is. "The Coalition needs to get their house in order so we can salvage this less-than-favourable start to the Northern Australia plan."